MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Education; Appropriations
By: Representative Pierce
AN ACT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF RECONSTITUTING THE METHODS AND DELIVERY SYSTEM OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LOCAL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AS CURRENTLY OFFERED THROUGH THE SCHOOL EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE AND WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR LICENSE RENEWAL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created a task force to study the feasibility and effectiveness of reconstituting the methods and delivery system of professional development and continuing education for local school administrators and local school board members as currently offered through the school executive management institute and which are required for license renewal. The task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2004, including any recommended legislation.
(2) The task force shall be composed of the following eleven (11) members:
(a) The State Superintendent of Public Education, who will serve as chairperson of the task force;
(b) The Director of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents;
(c) The Director of the Mississippi School Boards Association;
(d) The Director of the Mississippi Association of School Administrators;
(e) One (1) local school superintendent with an extensive background in the development, implementation and measurement of effectiveness of professional development, to be appointed by the State Board of Education;
(f) One (1) educator with an extensive background in the development, implementation and measurement of effectiveness of professional development, to be appointed by the State Board of Education;
(g) One (1) local high school principal, to be appointed by the Governor from the Central Supreme Court District;
(h) One (1) local middle school principal, to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor from the Southern Supreme Court District;
(i) One (1) local elementary school principal, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House from the Northern Supreme Court District;
(j) The Chairman of the House of Representatives Education Committee or his designee; and
(k) The Chairman of the Senate Education Committee or his designee.
(3) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. The task force shall hold its first meeting before August 1, 2004.
(4) The task force shall study the method, delivery, accessibility, availability, variety, costs and effectiveness of the professional development and continuing education programs currently provided to local administrators and local school board members by the School Executive Management Institute and any other professional development and continuing education programs. The focus of the task force shall be on the following areas:
(a) To evaluate and make recommendations on all components of the current professional development and continuing education programs developed and implemented by the School Executive Management Institute that are required for recertification and license renewal for both local school administrators and school board members;
(b) To evaluate and make recommendations on how to more effectively use technology based professional development and continuing education opportunities to acquire continuing education credits towards licensure renewal;
(c) To evaluate and make recommendations on the development and effectiveness of professional development and continuing education offered through local school districts that may be used towards licensure renewal;
(d) To evaluate and make recommendations on alternative delivery systems and options for professional development and continuing education; and
(e) To study and make recommendations for improvements on any other components of the current system.
(5) Members of the task force may not be compensated for the performance of their duties. Any incidental costs associated with conducting the study shall be paid by the State Department of Education.
(6) To effectuate the purposes of this section, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or of any political subdivision thereof shall, at the request of the chairman of the task force, provide to the task force such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the task force properly to carry out its task.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.